In January 2022, a number of mobile phone manufacturers have released their own seasonal flagships. Many sharp-eyed friends have found that this year's flagship is not so flagship?
In fact, after watching the launch of iQOO, Xiaomi, OnePlus and other manufacturers, Dark Horse found that this year's flagship has more or less shrunk to a certain extent.
Today, we will talk about why this year's flagship machines are not flagships.
The photo was cut
Taking pictures is the hardest hit area for this year's flagship shrinkage.
Taking the OnePlus 10 Pro as an example, in terms of camera configuration, the rear camera configuration of the OnePlus 10 Pro is basically the same as that of the previous generation of one plus 9 Pro.
Well, to say that the IMX789 is not good, just this 50 megapixel ultra-wide angle, why "upgrade" only 1/2.76-inch Samsung JN1 from the 1/1.56-inch Sony IMX766?
Is it confident that consumers can take better photos with Hasselblad Color Optimization 2.0?
In addition, the telephoto of the OnePlus 10 Pro is even less than the telephoto of the previous OnePlus 8 Pro in terms of configuration.
From a parametric point of view, the telephoto lens of the OnePlus 10 Pro is the Hearey OV08A10 that supports 3.3x optical zoom, and the COMS area is 1/4.4 inches.
However, as early as the OnePlus 8 Pro, one plus used a 1/3.4-inch Samsung S5K3M5, and from the bottom of this sensor, the telephoto of the OnePlus 8 Pro crushed the OnePlus 10 Pro.
It can be said that the flagship of this generation of OnePlus can be described as a comprehensive regression in imagery. Quietly tell everyone that the flash of the OnePlus 10 Pro has been "upgraded" from the previous generation of two-color temperature flash to a monochromatic temperature flash.
For now, looking around, the mobile phones in the entire circle are all backwards in telephoto. Even the periscope telephoto, which had been available for a long time, has now disappeared.
The screen shrinks
Of course, there are also manufacturers that are regressing on the screen, such as xiaomi mi 12 and xiaomi mi 12X. The forced launch of the Xiaomi 12X makes Dark Horse feel that Xiaomi is really not necessary.
With a processor worse than the previous generation and a lower resolution screen, its significance is nothing more than to "pull down" the price of the Xiaomi Mi 12 series, but it cannot affect the "high-end dream" of Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi Mi 12 Pro.
However, the 2K screen used by the previous generation of Xiaomi 11 has directly metamorphosed into a 1080P screen in this generation, which is a bit unspeakable. Although the experience is more important than the parameters, how can the experience of 1080 be better than 2K?
However, there is one thing to say, this generation of Xiaomi 12 has really improved a lot in workmanship. One-handed grip and no border to tie the hand, let the dark horse a little heartwarming.
If you are also moved, listen to the dark horse, try to buy a large memory, after all, MIUI13 is not a vegetarian.
In addition to the screen and photography, the IP68 dustproof and waterproof level of this year's flagship machine seems to have disappeared silently. Why？
From the iQOO 9 Pro released at the beginning of the year, to the Xiaomi Mi 12 Pro and the OnePlus 10 Pro, none of them have IP68 dust and water resistance.
Some netizens speculate that it may be because of the high temperature of Snapdragon 8Gen1, so that the waterproof ring that achieves IP68 dustproof and waterproof is very easy to age, so the manufacturer simply cancels this function. This kind of speculation cannot be said to be unfounded.
However, in the view of Dark Horse, this year's flagship machine does not have IP68 dustproof and waterproof, but it is better because of Snapdragon 8Gen1.
As we all know, this year's Snapdragon 8Gen1 processor is very hot, so many manufacturers are frantically piling up heat dissipation configurations.
Because the mobile phone needs better heat dissipation performance, but the IP68 level dustproof waterproof will reduce the heat dissipation, at this time, the heat dissipation demand will conflict with the IP68 level dustproof and waterproof demand.
From the actual experience, then the product manager will definitely cut off the IP68 level dustproof and waterproof, after all, no one throws the phone into the water every day. Therefore, in such a comparison, this "low frequency" function has been cut like this.
Of course, it is also possible that in order to reduce costs, manufacturers simply cut off the IP68 level dustproof and waterproof.
Why are all employees regressing?
In summary, we can be sure that some of the flagships released at the beginning of this year have indeed shrunk in some configurations. So why are manufacturers doing this?
The first word that dark horse came up with was differentiation.
Taking Xiaomi as an example, since the Ultra series of main photos, Xiaomi has given the best configuration to the Ultra series. Oversized soles, periscope telephoto, etc., have become exclusive to the Ultra series.
This distinction directly separates it from the digital series, giving consumers a kind of digital series that if it is a daily use need, the digital series can also be satisfied, but the pursuit of photography experience, then you can look at Ultra. It can be said that this division will unconsciously elevate the status of the brand.
Of course, the high cost of periscope telephoto also makes mobile phone manufacturers have to distinguish it, and only by selling a high price for the camera series can it cover more costs.
The second word is deliberate blankness.
It's like a child who can score 100 points, and he only takes about 95 points and 96 points each time, in short, he just doesn't take 100 points.
Why?
Because after he scored 100 points, the expectations of teachers and parents will stay at about 100 points, after which he will be rejected after another 95 points.
In the same way, if the manufacturer piles up the material at one time and serves this generation of consumers, then the next generation is slightly defective, consumers will be dissatisfied, and in addition, the manufacturer must also provide a great upgrade to attract the previous generation of consumers.
Instead of stacking unpleasant materials, it is better to leave some regrets and slowly repair them through upgrading to maintain the user's desire to buy. At this time, the shortcomings of contemporary flagships are to make way for the next generation of flagships. Xiaomi 6 nail household this stem, is a good case.
The above is purely a dark horse's personal idea, not necessarily all right, so if there is something wrong, please feel more advice. You can also speak freely in the comment area and talk about your mobile phone manufacturer's "reduction" views.